Individuals' understanding of the CLAS standards and how it relates to their work is an essential part of implementing compliance and improving services to the LEP population. LEP individuals can benefit directly by learning what services are included and they should expect by federal law.

These data are current as of June 2016. New data are expected by December 2016.

Local Health Departments (LHDs) and DPH Program Contractors have or will implement CLAS Standards training for their staff and the public. The Connecticut Multicultural Health Partnership (CMHP) is a DPH subcontractor working to implement CLAS Standards in other community service agencies. "I speak..." cards distributed to the partner agencies' clients i.e. the non-English speaking population provides a tangible tool for patients to use to access interpretation/translation services.

Training on the reasons for the changes and on how to make such changes to serve the non-English speaking population will facilitate compliance. See: Goode, T D, Dunne, M C, & Bronheim, S M (2006). The evidence base for cultural and linguistic competency in health care. (Commonwealth Fund Publication No. 962). Retrieved from The Commonwealth Fund website: http://www.commonwealthfund.org/usr_doc/Goode_evidencebasecultlinguisticcomp_962.pdf

DPH has provided training to individuals in the department as well as to other agencies serving the LEP population. Further development and sharing of health equity tools on the web will provide convenient and continuing access to teaching materials.